Carbon supply and control for writing machines



c. R. MABON 2,339,279 7 CARBON SUPPLY AND CONTROL FOR WRITING MACHINESJan. 18, 1944.

Filed Nov. 6, l940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .ZzV-enior, Carl 2?. Nafion,

Jan; 18, 1944. c, R, MABON 2,339,279

CARBON SUPPLY AND CONTROL FOR WRITING MACHINES Filed Nov. 6, 1940 3Sheets-Sheet 2 fli-larn ey Jan. 18, 1944. c. R. MABON 2,339,279

CARBON SUPPLY AND CONTROL FOR WRITING MACHINES Filed Nov. 6, 1940 3Shegts-Sheet 3 Z 1 g 4 i 24 I9 Q |g 36 5::

l nve-nfavg Car Z Ma Eon Patented Jan. 18, 1944 CARBON SUPPLY ANDCONTROL FOR WRITING MACHINES Carl R. Mabon, Niagara Falls, N. Y.,assignor to .Gilman Fanfold Corporation, Niagara Falls,

N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 6,1940, Serial No.364,507

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in'writing machines, and moreparticularly to an improved carbon or transfer strip supporting andcontrolling device adapted for interleaving transfer strips from asupply in transfer relation with the record strips, so as to transferinscriptions made on the top or original record strips. While theimproved carbon supply and control device is adapted for different formsof writing machines,

it is herein disclosed for illustrative purposes as applied to a writingmachine-of the flat platen type wherein the writing machine proper movesover the fiat platen for letter spacing. Also, for illustrative purposesthe improved supply device is disclosed for use in connection withassemblies of long continuous record strips of the fanfolded type, butit is adapted also for use in connectionwith record strip assemblieshaving separate record strips assembled in superposed manifoldingrelation.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved transferstrip supply and control for machines of the class mentioned whereby thecarbon or transfer strips are led from a supply, such as carbon stripspools and guided transversely into interleaved relation with the recordstrips'and then turned into the longitudinal path of the record stripsso as to assume interleaved transfer relation at the parts of the platenwhere the inscriptions are being entered. Improved means are providedfor introducing the transfer strips in positions. A further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved arrangement of strip turningdevices whereby the carbon or transfer strips are turned intolongitudinal alignment in transfer relation with the record strips,while at the same time avoiding any obstruction or binding of the freefeeding movement of both the record the inscription receiving intoinscription transfer relation upon the writing platen.

According to another feature of improvement the carbon supply andcontrol device is so constructed and arranged that it can be quickly andeasily installed in operative position on machines already in use, verylittle or no alterations in themachine being required in order that thecarbon supply and control device may be installed. The device is soconstructed and arranged that it can be lowered from above into andtransfer strips into writing position upon the platen.

A further object is to provide a carbon supply and control device formachines of the class mentioned having an improved manner of mountingand positioning the carbon strip turning devices, whereby the carbonstrips can be quickly and easily threaded into correct interleavedrelation with the record strips.-

A further object is to provide for machinesof the class mentioned animproved carbon supply and control device whereby the depleted or usedend portions of the carbon strips can be quickly and easily removed andfresh lengths introduced operative position between the rearwardlyextending frame members of the writing machine, or, if desired, it maybe raised from below the side frame members into operative position. Thesupply device is constructed and arranged so that the parts thereof liewholly-within the vertical planes of the side frame members of thewriting machine, thus avoiding obstruction with outside objects andenabling installation in operative position on two writing machines ofthe class mentioned, placed side by side, sometimes known as doublebarreled" machines.

According to another feature of improvement the carbon supply andcontrol device embodies a longitudinal reciprocable carriage supportingthe carbon supply rolls and having an improved operating connectiontherefor readily accessible to the operator and having a convenientlatching or locking device with control therefor for holding thecarriage in either of its forward 01' rearward positions.

Another feature of improvement resides in the automatic control meansfor normally holding the carbon supply spools against rotation forpaying out the carbon strips when the reciproeating carriage is in itsrearward or normally operative position, and for automatically releasingthe spools to' rotation when the carriage is moved into its forwardposition.

A further object of the invention is to'provide an improved turningdevice or frame forthe carbon strips having a simple and practical meansfor mounting it in operative position, whereby it can be swung or turnedon pivotal mountings for threading the carbon strips into operativeposition and moreover being light and strong and of relatively lowmanufacturing cost.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in thefollowing detailed description -of certain illustrative but preferredembodiments part .obvious as tures of construction, combination ofelements,

and arrangement of parts. which will be exemplified in the constructionhereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will beindicated in the claims- For a more comprehensive disclosure of thenature, objects and advantages of the invention reference is had. to thefollowing detailed description of the fllustratlve embodiments and tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation" of a writing machine of wellknown construction and having the improved carbon strip supply andcontrol applied thereto. I r p Fig. 2is an enlarged fragmentary plan ofthe rearward part of the machine of F18. 1, showing the improvements.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal elevation and section takensubstantially on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation and section taken chine.

substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of thearrows.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical transverse section showing the releasablesupporting means for holding the carbon supply device in operativeposition.

F15 8. 6 is a detailed section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7 is an enlargedpartially diagrammatic transverse section showing the interleaved recordand carbon strips as they appear when assembled for inscription upon thewriting platen.

Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective view of one of the carbon strip turningframes.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged central longitudinal section through one of thecarbon supply spools.

Fig. 10 is a detailed vertical longitudinal section through the latchingand operating device for reciprocating the carbon carriage.

Fig. 11 is a detailed section substantially on the line I l-ll of Fig.10. v

Fig. 12 is a detailed perspective view showing the latching device ofFig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation and section showing theautomatic holding and releasing device for the carbon supply spools.

- Fig. 14 is a detailed perspective view of a part of the spool holdingmechanism shown in Fig. 13; r

and

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13 but showing a modified embodimentof the automatic holding means for the carbon supply spools.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments of the invention there shown, and first to the embodimentsof Figures 1 to 14, inclusive, the improved carbon supply and controldevice is shown as installed on a typewriting machine of the flat platentype well known in the art. This writing machine is supported uponapedestal II that can rest upon the floor. in an upright position, andcarries at its upper extremity a supporting frame indicated generally atit, having side frame members is carrying at the forward parts thereof aflat plate or platen 20 upon which the record and transfer strips aresupported when receivingthe writing inscriptions. As shown, these sideframe members extend rearwardly from the platen for some distance andthe record strip assembly 2| guides from a supply 22 of is led overrearward zigzag folded strips in writing position upon the platen. Thetypewriting machine 23 is mounted upon rack bars or rails 24 attached tothe frame members I! for movement therealong to eifect line spacing.

- assaevo operating member under the control of the opj who sits at theforward end of the ma- Since this operating mechanism is well known inthe art and is disclosed, for example, in the Simonson Patent No.2,110,611 issued March 11, 1938, it need not be described in detailhere.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the improved carbon supply and controldevice indicated generally at 26 is mounted upon and carried by theerator,

rearwardly extending portions of the side frame members I9, beinginterposed between the latter and depending therefrom. As best seen inFigures 2, 3 and 4, this supply device embodies a framework havingtransverse end frame members 21 and 28 and longitudinally disposed sideframe members or rods 29. The end and side frame members are connectedtogether to form a light but strong supporting frame that can be quicklyand easily attached in operative position between the frame members isand also provides a support for the longitudinally reciprocating carbonstrip supply carriage indicated generally at 30.

For supporting the framework for mounti the supply carriage 30 inoperative position, the rear end frame member 21 is formed with hooklikesupporting arms 3i extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom and havingthe'hook-like formation thereof adapted for supporting engagement withthe transverse supporting bar or rod 32 thatis connected at its oppositeends to the side frame members ill of the writing machine. Thesehook-like supporting members 3| can be easily hooked over the transversesupporting bar without making any alterations in the writing machineframe, since this bar is a standard part of the machine frame. Thesupporting arms 3| may, as shown, carry astrip guiding plate '33 and atransverse connectin bar 24 extends between the two opposite arms 2|.-At the forward end of the frame of the carbon supply device, the endframe "member 28 is provided with retractable parts to form releasablesupporting attachments cooperating with the side frame members l9. Forthis purpose the supporting member 28 is in the form of a hollow tubemounted in attaching blocks or castings 25 to which the longitudinal orside frame members 22 are attached. Slidably mounted within this tube28, as best shown in detail in Fig. 5, are retractable supporting bolts36 extending at their outer ends into seats or openings formed in theside frame members is. Since these openings are formed in the framemembers of the standard machines now in use no alterations are requiredfor accommodating this supporting attachment. A coiled compressionspring 31 is mounted within the tubular support 28 between the innerends of the bolts 28 urging the latter outwardly into supportingposition, as shown in Fig. 5. Guide pins 38 are attached to the innerends of the bolts 36 running in elongated slots 39 in the tube 28 andserving as operating handles whereby the bolts can both be retractedatthe same time merely by engaging both. handles at the same time andpushing them toward each other, thus releasing the bolts from theirsupporting positions in the frame members l9.

As above mentioned, the carbon supply supporting carriage 30 issupported by the supporting framework above described for longitudinalreciprocating movement.

In the embodiment shown this reciprocating carriage embodies end platesor frame members 40 and a bottom plate or frame-member 4| connected atits opposite ends to the end plates. The end plates 40 are each providednear their upper edge with openings 40' through which extend in looserelation the side frame members 29 of the stationary supporting frame.These end plates are thus slidably mounted for longitudinalreciprocating movement upon the supporting rods 29. Each of thesupporting rods 29 carries a guide roller 42 for the carbon stripsrotatably mounted thereon, as best seen in Fig. 4.

The longitudinally reciprocating carbon supply carriage 30 provides asupport for the carbon supply spools 43, two of which are shown in thepresent embodiment, one being rotatably mounted in the end plates 40 ateach of the opposite sides of the carbon supply device. As many carbonstrips 44 as desired may be wound on each spool, two being shown forillustrative purposes but ordinarily there are three or more strips thuswound on each spool. For making only one or two carbon copies it will besufhcient to mount a single carbon .strip on each supply spool. Eachspool has a spindle 45 providing the rotary support for the spool andpreferably a cylindrical supporting core 46 is mounted upon the spindleand carries the supplyroll of carbon strips.

As best shown in Figures 9 and 13 each supply spool 43 has an end flange41 rigidly connected to the spool for rotation therewith and havingfirmly attached at its outer surface a crown ratchet wheel 48 havingoutwardly disposed ratchet teeth. A transverse rotary locking shaft 49is rotatable in appropriate bearings connected to the adjacent end frame40 and carries a locking pawl 50 in position for cooperating in lockingrelation with the teeth of the adjacent ratchet wheel 48 for each supplyspool. As best shown in Fig. 14 each pawl 50 is carried by a supportingsleeve rotatably mounted on the shaft 49, and locating and guidingsleeves 52 are mounted on the shaft 49 at each of the opposite ends ofthe supporting sleeve 5|. One of the sleeves 52 has a peripheral slot 53in which runs a pin 54 fixed to the adjacent end of the supportingsleeve 5|. The sleeves 52 are attached to the shaft 49 as by means. ofset screws. A tension spring 55 is connected to the lower end of eachpawl 50 and anchored to the adjacent frame plate 40, thus tending torotate the sleeve 5| until the stop pin 54 engages the seat at the endof the slot 53.. The locking pawls are thus yieldingly urged forwardlyby the spring into their locking positions.

. Fixedlymounted upon the locking shaft 49 is a crank arm 55 andpositioned for engagement with an operating pin 51 mounted upon astationary supporting arm 58 that may be conveniently attached to orform an extension of the frame attaching block 95.-

'As best shown in detail in Figures 3. and 10, there is an operatingmeans 59 supported in a bracket 60 connected to a transverse framemember iii of the typewriting machine. This operat-' ing device embodiesa sleeve or tube 52 attached to the bracket 50 and having an interiorlongitudinal passageway in which is loosely mounted the operating rod63, which can slide freely longitudinally within its supporting tube.The inner end of the rod 53 has an angularly disposed connecting part 54normally received within an 5 opening or slot in the connecting bracket65 attached to the adjacent side of the end plate 40. For maintainingthe operating rod 53 in its connected position, as shown in Fig. 10,there isa transverse pin or crosshead 65 rigidly attached to the rod 53and running in elongated grooves 51 in the opposite walls of thesupporting tube.

- At the outer end of the supporting tube 62, or

the end nearest to the operator, there is a latching device embodying alatching lug 68 that may, '15 as shown, be integral with the tube walland two cooperating slots or notches 69 formed on the under side of therod 63. A looped spring 10 is turned about the protruding end of the rod52 and connected .to the adjacent end of the sup-' porting tube 62 andstressed to urge the notches of the rod into engagement with thelatching lug 68. The outer end of the rod is provided with an operatinghandle 1|.

Referring more particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen thatupright supports 12 extend upwardly from the supply carriage 30, onesuch support being positioned substantially at each of the four comersof the carriage. Each of these supports is provided with a guideway orslot 13' and in the form shown is an integral extension of therespective end plate 40. The guideways 13 are longitudinally aligned atopposite sides of the carriage.

The carbon strip turners 14 are mounted in these upright supportingguideways. While for some purposes the carbon strip turners may vary instructure, a very convenient form is shown, especially in Fig. 8,- asembodying a metallic framework preferably of light metallic wire andhaving a supporting side .15 relatively heavier and stronger than theother two sides that, as shown, may be also of light wire, The frame issubstan tially triangular, being shown in the form of a right-angletriangle, the diagonal 15 of which forms the turning edge about whichthe carbon strips 44 are caused to turn from their transverse courseinto the longitudinal course between the record strips. The third side11 of the turning frame constitutes a support and brace for the othersides. The sides 16 and 11 may be riveted or welded to the supportingside or attached in other convenient manner.

At its opposite ends the supporting side I5 of the strip turning frameis formed with extensions 18 providing pivot supports that arepositioned for reception in the upright slos or guideways 13. Guidingand positioning collars 19 are preferably firmly attached adjacent toeach of the supporting pivots 18 for guiding and positioning the framesin the supporting guideways. One of the strip turning frames, as shownin Fig. 8, is pro- .vided with a supporting or-stop lug 80 positionedoppositely to the frame side '11 for cooperation with a supportingbracket 8| mounted on one of the end plates 40- adjacent to the uprightguideways '13 thereof. As shown in the drawings, as many of these guideframes as desired forcontrolling the required number of carbon stripsmay be mounted in the supporting slots or guideways 13. It will also benoticed that the frame supporting sides of the turning frames I4function as guides for guiding the carbon strips inwardly intointerleaved relation with the record strips.

Fig. '7 is a partially diagrammatic showing of the transfer strips 4| ininterleaved transfer rethat the record strips are fanfolded or, in otherwords, constructed of a single continuous strip of paper longitudinallyfolded at opposite longitudinal edges of the assembly, but they maybeseparate if desired;

If it is desired to employ one or more narrowcarbon-strips, one or moreof the strip turning frames lkmay be correspondingly shortened.

In other words, such a narrow record strip may be desired for receivingtransfer inscriptions of only a part of the data to be recorded on theother record strips, and, in this instance, the carbon'strip will bemade narrower than the thus assuring at all times the proper guidespacing to provide freedom of movements of the transfer strips. Eachsuccessive carbon strip is 1 thus threaded-into its proper relation withthe positioned slightly short of the adjacent ends of p others toconform to the width ofthe narrow,

record strip. In this case the free swinging end of the strip turningframe for the narrow carbon will be short of the freeswinging ends ofthe other strip tumers.

A modified embodiment of the automatic hold-- ing device for the carbonsupply spools is shown in Fig. 15. In this embodiment the function andarrangement of the parts are quite similar to those above described andparticularly shown in Fig. 13, and corresponding parts are designated bythe same reference numerals with the addition of the index a. In thisembodiment the carbon supply spools 43a are substantially the same asabove described and similarly mounted, but the crown ratchet wheel 48has been omitted andin its place a friction holding device is provided.

As shown in Fig. 15 there is a friction element 82 of rubber, fibreboardor other similar material adapted to have frictional engagement with theoutside surface of the spool flange 4111.. The friction element 82 issupported at the outer end of a rocker arm 83 rigidly mounted'upon the.

rotary locking or holding shaft 48a, mounted in a manner similar to thatof the locking shaft 49 set forth above. This shaft 49a carries anoperating arm 56a positioned for engagement by an operating pin 51amounted upon the supporting bracket 58m. A tensioned coil spring 55a isconnected to an arm 84 rigidly mounted upon the- The outer surface ofthe flange "a forms an endless uninterrupted friction surface with whichthe friction element 82 can engage in friction holding relation in anyangular or rotative position of the spool.

In operation the carbon strips 44 are pulled from their supply spoolsand threaded intointer' leaved transfer relation with the record stripsas shown in Figs. 2 and 7. For this purpose, the strip turning frames 14can be easily removed from their supporting guideways 13 and the frameover which the carbon strip is being threaded can be swung upwardly onits pivotal mountings in the guideways, thus facilitating the threadingof the carbon strip into position. Each carbon strip is extendedupwardly over the strip guides 42 and 15 and then turned downwardly overthe diagonally disposed turning side I6 of the frame. located contiguousto each other as'seen in Fig. 3 se as to function as spacers for theguides 15 record strips as shown in Fig. '7. when the interleaved carbonstrips are thus pulled forwardly into their active transfer positionupon the platen ill the forward ends thereof are normally the recordstrips that are clamped beneath the clamping bar 25. When the strips arethus disposed the carbon supply carriage 301s in its rearward position,as shown in Fig. 2, and the writing is then made by the typewritingmachine to fill in the desired data upon the set of forms ordinarilyprovided on the record strips. Successive blank forms are thus movedinto writing position and inscribed with the same portions of the'carbon strips.

-When the used portions of the carbon strips become depleted to make itdesirable to introduce fresh carbon areas, this can be done very quicklyand easily as follows: The clamping bar 25 is released and the inscribedlengths or form sheets of the, record strips are pulled forwardly untilthe lines of severance between adjacent form sheets or the lines ofperforation are some little distance short of the severing edge of thebar 25, the

. carbon supply carriage 30 is then moved to its forward position by theoperator who lifts the operating rod 83 in its tubular support 62, thusreleasing the latching device 68, 69 whereupon the rod is pulledforwardly to correspondingly move the carriage forwardly. During thismovement the operating pin 51 engages the arm 56 to release the pawl 50from its holding position, thus enabling the supply spools to pay outfresh carbon strips. The record and carbon strips are then graspedtogether and pulled forwardly as a unit until the next tear ofi line orperforations 2| between sets of forms is at the edge of the tear-off bar25. The tear-oil? bar is then let down into clamping position and theforward 'ends of the record and carbon strips are torn off at the sametime. This action brings fresh carbon material into transfer relationwith the next successive set of forms. The clamping bar 25 is againreleased and the carbon supply carriage is then moved rearwardly uponits supports to its normal operative position, shown in Fig. 2. This isdone by grasping the operating rod 63, moving it upwardly to release thelatching members 68, 89 and pushing the rod inwardly to the positionshown in Fig. 10, whereupon the latching means is again automaticallyengaged by the action of the spring 10. This movement also automaticallylocks the carbon spools against paying out the carbon strips. Theforward ends of the rec- 0rd strips are then moved forwardly relativelyto the carbon strips and introduced in clamped relation undertheclamping bar 25, whereupon the typing may be continued with the freshcarbon material in transfer position. When the carbon spool holdingdevice disclosed inFig. 15 is used the operation of releasing andholding the carbon spools upon reciprocation of the carbon carriage issubstantially the same as in the case of the alternative holdingmechanism shown in Fig. 13. Due to the endless uninterrupted frictionsurface of the spool flange "a the friction element 82 is effective tocheck and hold the spool in any rotative position thereof. Thefrictional pressure of the friction element 82 against the flange ismaintained constant by the stressing of the spring a thus assuringchecking and holding the spool in any rotative position thereof.

It will be noted that the lower strip turning frame ll, as shown inFigures 3 and 4, having mounting of the turning frames iorboth pivotaland bodily or sliding movements in the upright slots or guideways 13 asdescribed.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shownin the accompanying drawings, shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is: 1. The combination with a machine of the characterdescribed having a writing platen and side frame members disposedrearwardly of the platen, of a carbon supply device for supplying one ormore carbon-strips in transfer relation with record strips in writingposition on the platen, means for mounting said supply device inoperative position on said machine, means for guiding the carbon striptransversely into interleaved position with the record strips, one ormore strip turning devices positioned in the courses of the record andcarbon strips for tuming the carbon strips into a longitudinal course ininterleaved transfer relation with the record.

strips, and means mounting said turning device on said supply device forswinging movement in an upright plane and for bodily movementstranscourses of the record and carbon strips for turning the carbonstrips into a longitudinal course in interleaved transfer relation withthe record strips, supports Onsaid supply device each having an uprightelongated guideway, and means pivotally mounting said turning .device inthe guideways of said supports for swinging movements away from theplane of the record strips and for sliding movements transversely of theplane of the record strips.

3. The combination with a machine of the character described having awriting platen and side frame members, of a carbon supply device forsupplying a carbon strip in transferrelation with record strips inwriting position on the platen, means for mounting said supply device inoperative position on said machine, means for guiding the carbon striptransversely'into interleaved position with the record strips, a stripturning device positioned in the courses of the record and carbon stripsfor turning the carbon strips into. a longitudinal course in interleavedtransfer relation with the record strips, means pivotally mounting saidturning device on said supply device for swinging movement in an uprightplane, and a support for said strip turning device including a lugmounted on the latter outside of said pivotal mounting means forlimiting its downward swinging movement substantially in the plane ofthe record strips.

4. The combination with a machine of the character. described having awriting platen and side frame members, of a carbon supply device forsupplying carbon strips in transfer relation with record strips inwriting position on the platen, means for mounting said supply device inoperative position on said machine, means for guiding the carbon stripstransversely into interleavedposition with the record strips, stripturning devices positioned in the courses of the record and carbonstrips for turning the carbon strips into a longitudinal course ininterleaved. transfer relation with the record strips, supports on saidsupply device each having an upright elongated guideway, means mountingsaid tuming devices in the guideways of said supports for swingingmovements away from the plane of the record strips and for slidingmovements transversely of said plane, and a support for one of saidstrip turning devices including a lug mount- I 1f ed on the latteroutside of said pivotal mounting means for limiting its downwardswinging movement substantially in the course of the record strips.

5. The combination with a machine of the character described having awriting platen and side frame members, of acarbon supply device forsupplying one or more carbon strips in transfer relation with recordstrips in writing position on theplaten, supporting members connected tosaid supply device and spaced longitudinally thereof for supporting thesame in operative position on the machine, said supporting membersincluding a supporting lug for engagement in supporting relation withthe machine, and including also a longitudinally spaced retractablesupporting member adapted to engage in supporting relation with one ofsaid side frame members and being retractable into a releasing position.

6. The combination with a machine of the character described having awriting platen and side frame members, of a carbon supply device forsupplying one or more carbon strips in transfer relation with recordstrips in writing position on the platen, supporting members connectedto said supply device and spaced longitudinally thereof for supportingthe same in operative position on the machine, said supporting membersincluding a supporting lug for engagement in supporting relation withthe machine and including also a pair of laterally oppositely disposedretractable supporting members adapted to en- Base in supportingrelation with each of said I side frame members and being retractableinto releasing positions, said carbon supply device be- ,ingproportioned so as .to be inserted into operative position between saidside frame members where it is held by said supporting members.

-7. The combination with a machine of the character described having awriting platen and, side frame members, of a carbon supply device forsupplying one or more carbonstrips in transfer'relation with recordstrips inwriting position on the platen, said carbon supply deviceincluding a longitudinally reciprocating supporting carriage on whichthe transfer strip supply is carried, means for detachably mounting saidsupply device on the machine, an operating member including alongitudinally reciprocal operating rod connected to the forward end ofsaid carriage and supported by the machine, latching means connected tosaid operating member for retaining said carriage'in its forward orrearward positions, a guideway for retaining said operating rod in itsoperative position for longitudinal reciprocation, means carried by saidcarriage for guiding the transfer strips'transver'sely into interleavedposition with the record strips, and strip turning devices pivotallyconnected to said carriage for turning the carbon strips into aiongitudinal course in interleaved transfer relation with the recordstrips.

8. The combination with a machine of the character described having awriting platen and side frame members, of a carbon supply device forsupplying one or more carbon strips in transfer relation with record.strips in writing position on the platen, said carbon supply deviceincluding a longitudinally reciprocating supporting carriage on whichthe transfer strip supply is carried, means for detachably mounting saidsupply device on the machine, operating means for said reciprocatingcarriage including an operating rod connected to the carriage andextending forwardly therefrom and attached to the machine forlongitudinal movement, and a latching device connected to said operatingmeans for retaining said carriage in its forward or rearward positions.

9. The combination with a machine of the character described having awriting platen and side frame members, of a carbon supply device forsupplying one or more carbon strips in transfer relation with recordstrips in writing position on the platen, said carbon supply deviceincludinga longitudinally reciprocating supporting carriage on which thetransfer strip supply is carried, operating means for said reciprocatingcarriage including an operating rod connected to the carriage, a tubularsupport in which said operating rod is mounted for relative longitudinalmovements to effect reciprocation of said carriage and for lateralmovements with reference to the tubular support, a latching devicecooperatingwith said rod for holding said carriage in its forward orrearward position, and means for releasing said latching device bylateral movements of said rod with reference to its tubular support.

10. The combination with a machine of the character described having awriting platen and side frame members, of a carbon supply device forsupplying one or more carbon strips in transfer relation with recordstrips in writing position on the platen, said carbon supply deviceincluding a longitudinally reciprocating supporting carriage on whichthe transfer strip supply is carried, operating means for saidreciprocating carriage including an operating rod connected to thecarriage, a tubular support in which said operating rod is mounted forrelative longitudinal movements to effect reciprocation .of saidcarriage and for lateral movements with reference to the tubularsupport, a guideway for retaining said rod in its normal connected ope ie p tion while permitting longitudinal reciprocation, a latching deviceincluding latchin formatiims on said rod and tubular support for holdingthe carriage in its forward and rearward positions, means forcontrolling said latching device b means of relative-movements of saidrod and tubular support, and means for urging said latching formationsinto latching engagement.

11. The combination with a machine of the tion element mounted formovement into engaging and disengaging positions with a continuousendless friction surface of said supply spool, a

spring connected to said friction holding device and stressed to urgesaid friction element into frictional engagement with said frictionsurface to retain the spool from paying out carbon strip therefrom, andautomatic means operated by.

longitudinal movements of said carriage for releasing said frictionholding device.

12. The combination with a machine of the character described having awriting platen and side frame members, of a carbon supply device forsupplying carbon strips in transfer relation with record strips inwriting position on the platen, said supply device including asupporting frame, a carbon supply carrier mounted for longitudinalreciprocation on said supporting frame, a carbon strip supporting spoolrotatably mounted on said carriage, strip tumers positioned in thecourses of the record and carbon strips for turning the carbon stripsfrom said supply spool from a transverse course into a longitudinalcourse in interleaved transfer relation with the record strips,longitudinallyv spaced supports mounted on said carriage at each of theopposite sides of the strip path and each having an upright elongatedreceiving slot, pivot at opposite ends of each of said tumers formounting the latter one above another in said upright receiving slotsboth for pivotal movements and for bodily sliding movements, and spacersmounted on said strip tumers for spacing the superposed tumers.

13. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripturning device for turning a continuous transfer strip from a transversecourse into the longitudinal course of continuous record strips intransfer relation therewith, said transfer strip turning device beingpositioned in the courses of the record and transfer strips and having aguide part, engaging the transfer strip, and a mount for said turningdevice mounting it for swinging movements transversely of the plane ofthe record strips and for bodily movements transversely of the plane ofthe record strips.

14. In a. machine of the character described, in combination, aplurailty of strip turning devices for turning continuous transferstrips from transverse courses into the longitudinal course ofcontinuous record strips in transfer relation therewith, said turningdevices being positioned in the courses of the record and transferstrips and having guide parts engaging the respective transfer tripmounting devices for said turning devices including supports havingelongated guideways extending transversely of the plane of the recordstrips and connections on the turning devices connecting them with therespective guideways ord strips.

15. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof strip turning devices for turning continuous transfer strips fromtransverse courses into the longitudinal course of continuous recordstrip in transfer relation therewith, said turning devicesbeingpositioned in the courses of the record and transfer strips andhaving guide parts engaging the respective transfer strips, mountingdevices for said turning devices including supports having elongatedguideway extending transversely of the plane of the record strips,connections on the turning devices connecting them with the respective

